Reynatis Interview: Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura discuss the game, coffee, and more

This extensive interview delves into the creation of FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, slated for Western release on September 27th. We hear from Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura.

TAKUMI discusses his role in the game's conception, production, and direction, highlighting the unexpectedly strong international buzz surrounding Reynatis. He shares positive feedback from Japanese players, particularly those familiar with Tetsuya Nomura's works (like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy), noting their insightful engagement with the game's narrative.

The interview addresses the Final Fantasy Versus XIII comparisons, with TAKUMI clarifying that while the original trailer served as inspiration, Reynatis is a wholly original creation, reflecting his personal creative vision. He mentions direct communication with Nomura, emphasizing the fan-driven nature of the project.

TAKUMI also acknowledges previous FuRyu games' strengths and shortcomings, assuring fans that updates will address balance, quality-of-life improvements, and technical issues. The Western release will benefit from these refinements.

The interview details TAKUMI's informal approach to collaborating with Shimomura and Nojima, primarily through direct communication via social media and messaging apps. He reveals his personal admiration for their prior works, citing Kingdom Hearts and various Final Fantasy titles as key influences.

TAKUMI discusses his passion for action games and the development challenges of balancing multiple platforms while maintaining a high-quality experience. He reflects on the three-year development process, including navigating the pandemic's impact, which ultimately had minimal effect due to efficient remote collaboration.

The NEO: The World Ends with You collaboration is explained, revealing a direct approach to Square Enix. TAKUMI discusses platform choices, emphasizing the Switch as the lead platform despite its limitations. He also touches upon FuRyu's growing internal PC development capabilities and the differing perceptions of the console and PC gaming markets in Japan.

The discussion extends to smartphone ports, with TAKUMI clarifying that FuRyu's focus remains on console development, with smartphone releases considered only if the console experience translates well. The lack of Xbox releases is attributed to low consumer demand in Japan and the development team's lack of experience with the platform.

TAKUMI expresses excitement for the Western release, highlighting the planned DLC releases to enhance player engagement and avoid spoilers. He also discusses the possibility of future art books and soundtracks, though no concrete plans are currently in place.

The interview concludes with TAKUMI sharing his gaming preferences, Nojima and Shimomura's insights into their creative processes and inspirations for Reynatis, and their coffee preferences. TAKUMI's closing remarks emphasize Reynatis's strong thematic message of self-acceptance and resilience against societal pressures, positioning it as a game with a powerful message that transcends graphical limitations.